The Winter City

Head for the heights of Arcachon to explore the Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town) neighbourhood

Far from the bustling beaches, wander around the streets in search of the most attractive villas and saunter through the Parc Mauresque up to the Sainte-Cécile Observatory.

Stroll through winding streets

Head to Arcachon’s historic district to discover the villas and their 19th-century architecture. Among the 300 different villas here, make sure you see Teresa, Toledo, Brémontier, Trocadero, Alexandre Dumas, Bayard and Athena villas, which are reputed to be the most extravagant in the district.

Take a break in the Parc Mauresque

From Place du 8 Mai, take the lift in the Parc Mauresque that connects the Ville d’Eté (Summer Town) to the Ville d’Hiver (Winter Town). When you get out of the lift, step onto the balcony to enjoy a view of the Bay. Once you’re at the top and away from the hustle and bustle you can enjoy a breath of fresh air in the park’s shaded alleyways. With its children’s play area, bandstand, small open-air theatre and benches, the Parc Mauresque is perfect for relaxing in!

Climb to the top of the Sainte-Cécile Observatory

To get there, you will need to cross the Passerelle Saint-Paul footbridge from Mont Saint-Paul to Mont Sainte-Cécile, which is 15 m above the ground! Climb the steps of the belvedere to enjoy one of the finest panoramic views of the Winter Town and the Bay. When you see it close up you will notice certain similarities with another well-known monument… that’s right, Gustave Eiffel helped build this project!

Discover the Winter Town on a guided tour

Find out about the history of the Winter Town, spiced up with a couple of extra anecdotes! The Arcachon Tourist Office proposes guided tours from April to October, and all year round, you can discover the neighbourhood during a tour on a little train with audio guides or by following a set of puzzles!